How the use of Cannabis affects sperm structure

If you have noticed in recent times, the use of cannabis (commonly called marijuana) has been increasing steadily. And honestly, it comes as no surprise, as that's the result of the legalisation of cannabis in many parts of the world. That's the very reason why I decided to write this article. I noticed that people, especially younger ones are no longer scared of taking marijuana. I know it's an amazing feeling to be 'high', as it helps people forget about the problems of reality. It creates that temporary escape - and most people are always looking for a way to run away from a problem that they should stand and fight. I also understand that people are very emotional about this substance and that's why I want to say that I do not want to in any way create unnecessary fear about a substance that so many people depend on in so many ways. My aim here is just to simply pass this information to you. Although, tobacco smokers have thought me that people may not really care - cause even with it clearly written on the cigarette container - "that smokers are liable to die young" - people still smoke cigarettes. Don't get me wrong, I think we are all free to live our lives the way we want to, so long as it doesn't directly disturb anyone else's life. But we must also understand that there are consequences for our actions, whether we want to agree or not. There are always consequences; good or bad. Now, recently, research has found that cannabis actually affects the structure of sperm - and that the effect of cannabis exposure may be heritable, i.e. may be inherited by offsprings. Now, I understand that most people may be willing to play with their lives and not give a damn. But transferring the consequences of one's perhaps unhealthy lifestyle to an innocent unborn child may be a different story all together - as I'm sure that most people would do a little more thinking and consideration for the sake of the future of their unborn children.

Generally, you should understand that plants that actually produce tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are referred to as Cannabis. People consume different parts of the plant in so many ways, and they are given different names. Marijuana as well as hashish are the most popular forms in which cannabis is consumed. THC is mainly produced by Cannabis sativa and cannabis indica. Hence, most of the marijuana you see around are most likely one of the above mentioned cannabis. Some people consume the leaves of cannabis. They do this by drying it, afterwards, they either smoke or eat the dried leaves. Cannabis is so popular that there are so many different names people call this plant in different places. Here are some of the names cannabis is also called weed, grass, pot, marijuana etc.

THC can also be consumed from the resin of the flowers - you may call this way of consuming THC hashish. cannabis makes you feel like you are on a slower motion, it slows down the way the brain receives and sends information, and that's why it's called a depressant. Let me share with us some effects of Cannabis - it makes people feel happy, it makes people feel calm and relaxed, it causes people to lose concentration rather easily, it makes people talk and talk and talk, more than they do on a normal level, it causes some people to feel anxious. There are also some symptoms observed when you consume marijuana - such as strong hunger, you may feel so hungry like a young dinosaur, ready to eat everything that comes your way. Another symptom is red eyes; most times you recognize someone that is high on cannabis by the redness of their eyes. Another symptom is faster heart rate; the heart starts pumping faster and that's why it makes some people anxious. Dry mouth is yet another symptom of Cannabis consumption - if you get high on weed, you'd probably be looking for water to quench your taste or any other drink, usually a cold one. Perhaps, the strongest symptom of Cannabis consumption is dizziness; and that's why the eyes of a person high on weed is usually almost closing, as though the person wants to sleep right on the spot. And that's why it's dangerous to be doing anything that requires you to respond with speed when consuming cannabis. It's also risky to drive, and if you're someone that works with heavy machines, it's really advisable that you do not operate it when you are high on marijuana. Continuous consumption of cannabis for a long time at high quantity may cause an individual to start experiencing depression, having sleeping issues, cannabis may also cause a person to start having lung issues as well as sexual issues.

I wouldn't deny that cannabis has also been useful in medicine to treat many issues, such as severe pain, it is also used to help people that are having issues with urge for food, that is, they don't feel like eating. But even with these health benefits of cannabis, it's very advisable to follow exactly your doctor's prescription, to avoid any complications. Although, a lot of people get hooked on consuming cannabis without due caution, it is not classified as an addictive substance. I would strongly advise that if you start noticing or are already noticing the following signs, then you should start taking due caution, as you are most likely over using cannabis. If you also notice that you can't control yourself, then simply go find help - first, when you start to think of marijuana all day long, then there's an issue. Second, if you start feeling restless if you can't have access to weed, then there's an issue. Third, when you start feeling like you need marijuana to be yourself, then there's an issue. Remember, speak to a professional if you need help to control your over usage of cannabis.

In relation to this article, it's important for us to understand what Epigenetics is. To simply put, epigenetics has to do with the physical traits that can be inherited by offspring, and these traits are not as a result of any changes in the DNA sequence. We can actually break epigenetics into two, epi- which is a Greek word that means around, over or on top. And genetics- which we all probably know is the study of inheritance. We can then say that epigenetics basically has to do with gene expression. Now you see, these changes may be noticed in the cells and the way an organism looks. Mostly, epigenetics is influenced by the environment in which an organism lives. That is to say, organisms that live in unhealthy environment would show the physical consequences of that, also organisms that live in healthy environment, would also expressed phenotypic changes that corresponds with that environment. Hence, in the end, where you live matters a lot, that's what epigenetics is telling us. There are mechanisms that change how genes are expressed, at the same time do not affect the DNA sequence - let me share with us two of those kinds of mechanisms. First, we have DNA methylation, which is how methyl groups are been joined to DNA.

You may want to ask, what the main function of DNA methylation is? Ok, here's it - the main function is to prevent the expression of genes. Let me give us an example - say we have A B C D E F G as a DNA sequence. The DNA methylation may actually prevent the expression of let's say 'E'. Hence, the DNA sequence is not affected, but E is not expressed. That's epigenetics for you. Now, when you have these changes caused by epigenetics, they may go on in the family lineage for many generations, and that is made possible by cell divisions. Although, there are no changes in the DNA sequence, that is, A B C D E F G is still transferred from generation to generation, but the 'E' is also not expressed from generation to generation. Also, at this point, I want to let us understand that - changes in physical traits that are not heritable are also sometimes referred to as Epigenetics. Remember I mentioned above that I would be talking on two mechanisms that change how genes are expressed - the first one I've explained is the DNA methylation. Now, the second mechanism is the histone modification - which involves modification in the chromosome areas, which may be inherited by offsprings or not. But do take note, the generally accepted definition of Epigenetics involves changes that can be inherited by offsprings.

It is not a new information that this substance called marijuana has a negative impact on sperm - it lowers the sperm count of an individual. Now, a recent study is telling us that the impact of cannabis consumption doesn't just stop there, it also goes as far as to affect the sperm structure; thereby suggesting that cannabis may have impact on unborn children. You may want to know where this study was carried out - and it was at Duke University, by the scientists over there. I chose to share this very important information with us, because of the increase in use of this drug all around the world. I want people to be aware of the potential consequences cannabis consumption may have. Cannabis actually alters how the genes that you may find in the sperm cell function. Cannabis doesn't change the genes completely, if it did, that would have been called mutation and not epigenetics. Remember, epigenetics just involves physical traits changes, which are not caused by changes in the DNA sequence, but by other things such as the use of cannabis and the environment in which an organism lives etc. There are basically two pathways that cannabis impacts negatively. The genes found in these pathways are also impacted as well. One of the pathways is useful in making body organs grow to normal size, and the other is related to cancer and preventing or controlling tumors

And that's why it's really quite worrisome that continuous consumption of cannabis may cause unborn children to be more exposed to cancer. There is also a strong relationship between the concentration of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) present in the urine and the changes in the structure of the sperm. The higher the concentration of Tetrahydrocannabinol in the urine, the greater the structural changes in the sperm. Hence, if stopping completely your consumption of cannabis is seemingly difficult, you may want to really consider reducing your consumption of it, as the lesser your consumption of cannabis, the lesser the structural changes in the sperm. The Duke University team is still carrying out further studies on this to know whether or not the changes in the sperm cells can be reversed. Also, to know whether or not the changes would really affect the unborn children - cause remember I mentioned that sometimes epigenetics may involve changes that are not heritable ( although, I also mentioned that the generally accepted definition of Epigenetics at the moment involves changes that can be inherited.). Now, further studies aim to clear that, by letting us know whether or not the changes would be inherited. But take note, it is completely clear that consumption of cannabis definitely affects the structure of sperm cells.

With this information, I think it's really advisable that people should start considering cutting down on their consumption of cannabis. Over the years, I've actually come to understand that people tend to think more and reconsider what they're doing when they realize that their actions may actually affect their unborn children negatively. Thanks for reading. Bye for now.

References

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